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  A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Hosts Miko Lee & Guest Host Mia Nakano celebrate Bayanihan in Ballhalla. Bayanihan is a core Filipino cultural value of community unity, and Balhalla is the home arena of the Golden State Valkyries. Apex Express was invited to join Filipino Heritage Night at the Valkyries game. We speak with the community behind this cultural celebration. That includes Al Perez, artists Venazir Martinez and Kristian Kabuay, and coach Carolyn Sideco about the history of Philippines and basketball. Links for more information: More information on our guests: Golden State Valkyries Al Perez, President of the Filipino American Arts Exposition Artist Venazir Martinez DJ P-LO Cultural Practitioner Kristian Kabuay Carolyn Sideco Coaching Kapwa Raquel Redondiez SOMA Pilpinas     Show Transcript: [00:00:00] Opening: Apex Express Asian Pacific expression. Community and cultural coverage, music and calendar, new visions and voices, coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the Apex Express. [00:01:13] Miko Lee: Welcome to Apex Express. I'm your host, Miko Lee, and tonight is Bayanihan in Ballhalla. Bayanihan is a core Filipino cultural value of community unity, and Balhalla is the home arena of the Golden State Valkyries. Apex Express was invited to join Filipino Heritage Night at the Valkyries game. Tonight, please join me and my guest host, Mia Nakano, as we speak with the community behind this cultural celebration. That includes Al Perez, artists Venazir Martinez and Kristian Kabuay, and coach Carolyn Sideco about the history of Philippines and basketball. Join us. Today I have the honor of having my bestie with me who's gonna co-host Welcome to Apex, Mia Nakano.  [00:01:59] Mia Nakano: Hi, Miko. Thank you for having me.  [00:02:01] Miko Lee: I was invited to a Valkyries game, and I said, “Oh, my gosh, I need somebody with me that can speak basketball.” And so I thought of you.  [00:02:10] Mia Nakano: And here we are. And the Valkyries do put on a show. That's one of the things that makes them so great.  [00:02:15] Miko Lee: Yeah, it was super fun. It was Filipino Heritage Night, and so we got a chance to talk with the different artists that are there, what is the night about, what's the cultural celebration. What were some of the things that stood out to you?  [00:02:28] Mia Nakano: I think that it really got to the roots of, one, what a great sports city San Francisco and then just the broader Bay Area is, and two, the deep connections to the Filipino community that exists within the Bay Area. When you look at how historically the Warriors really came up and the fan shots from when they were at Oracle Arena, the huge fan base that was there initially was the Filipino community. To see that translate in a very different way as the Valkyries are coming up in the WNBA as this incredible team, second year, on their way to probably making the playoffs for the second year in a row, bringing that community back, particularly with all the connections of the artists, the activations, and even the food that they have in Chase Arena brings it full circle. [00:03:26] Miko Lee: Having Natalie Nakase as the coach there is so powerful and important representation for Asian Americans as well. The other thing that stood out to me was I did not know there was this history of basketball in the Philippines, and then to talk to the different guests on our show tonight about what that history represents, where it comes from, the connection to colonization, and then also how it's really developed into its own cultural phenomena in the Philippines. [00:03:55] Mia Nakano: I played basketball- All throughout junior high and high school and was very immersed in it in Southern California, but I had no idea that basketball was the national sport of the Philippines. After we came back from the game, I did a little a bit of a deep dive, and it was really wonderful to see that it actually started in the Philippines as a women's sport? And it was making sports more accessible to folks, and also very clearly connected to,, roots of colonization and religion. But to still have that anchor and connection there, and then this interesting juxtaposition where right now there has still never been a Filipina player in the WNBA. There are folks who people really thought were almost gonna make it. So there's still that one last phase that they need to break into this sport that is their national sport, but in the United States they're not quite there yet in terms of representation.  [00:04:55] Miko Lee: And talking with Coach Caroline, which people can hear later in the episode, about that history and how it was intended to be this women's sport in the Philippines because it was easier. They thought they'd give it to the women to play. But the men were watching going like, “Oh, this looks fun. This looks more fun than baseball. So it really just took off. I love that transition for that it went and across the country. A few of our guests talked about tenement basketball courts. It's just so wildly different from this country.  [00:05:25] Mia Nakano: I think that that is contextually just how sports are played in a lot of different countries in the world where they don't have access. When you think about people playing football, right, like soccer, in different areas where they are playing barefoot. They are playing in dirt or, like, fields that are not necessarily fields. I think that in the context of playing basketball differently in the Philippines versus the United States or even in European leagues, when the United States goes to play in the Olympics, even though you have the USA women's team, USA men's teams who are supposed to be the best of the best in the world, the way that the game is played at that particular level and arena is quite different. And so they all have to adjust to the physicality, to how calls are called just slightly differently. With smaller players in the WNBA what I find really incredible, and this is what Carolyn talks about a little bit, is like the layup packages? When you get close to the rim, you don't have a Filipino who just goes up and makes a regular layup. They do it with flair, right? There's a part of that maybe is a little bit of showmanship, but also it's a part of trying to sneak your way around bigger players so that you can get the basket. And anybody that you play against, even in a league that is familiar to you, you're gonna have to change your game up, and play to your strength, and also just know what you can't do in the game, and go to another person who has more of those strengths  [00:07:03] Miko Lee: One of the other things that stood out to me in talking with one of the artists, Christian, who was there in the outside, in the cultural area, and he was doing, pre-Filipino writing with folks, and we'll interview him later in the episode. He was saying how he does this activity at a lot of different games, but it was very different. That was the first time at the Valkyries, and he said the crowd was so different, that it felt like back in the day. It felt like community. There weren't tech bros. You feel like it, The audience was way more women, As someone that goes to Warriors' and Valkyries' games, do you notice a difference in the audience?    [00:07:41] Mia Nakano: The first Valkyries game that I had the opportunity to go to last year was their Pride Night, and that is the game that my wife and I always go to for the Warriors. It's a special feeling there. I noticed there was a whole parking lot area for strollers on different levels. There was such great energy, and people just talking about the game, people cheering or rooting for players on the other team. There was not a lot of negative energy going around. When Christian mentions, the tech bro energy, the people rolling around with Patagonia shirts, and sweatshirts, that is so true. You truly feel this family environment that's also very queer friendly. There's so many folks of color, and they're not just there because the team's winning, because last year we didn't know if the team was gonna win or not. They were just showing up. The Valkyries have really created such a strong culture that is team based. That's what you see with the Valkyries, but I also think that that's a testament to the coach, to the players, who really trust in one another, and to the community that we have in the Bay Area. I think even the players did not understand when they came here what they were stepping into, and they talk about talking to other players on opposing teams who are like, “Is it always like this? Is it every night?” They're like, “Every single night, this is how our fans are, and we love it.”  [00:09:14] Miko Lee: So it's in different WNBA hometowns it's not like that? [00:09:18] Mia Nakano: Absolutely not. The Valkyries have sold out every single game from day one. They are the first WNBA team, and I think the first women's professional sports team, to reach $100 billion in valuation. then you see other teams, like the Atlantic Dream, who are playing in arenas of 3,500, or the Dallas Wings, who are playing in much smaller arenas, even though they have all these franchise players like Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers and AZ Fudd. The Dallas Wings are actually moving to the same arena that the Mavericks are gonna play in next year. It's an interesting juxtaposition given where the context of our world is at, who's in office right now, the battles that we're having to fight to keep women's rights, queer rights, trans rights in the forefront and not have them stripped away. Yet on the other side of this, we have this huge, meteoric rise of women's sports, and it's not just basketball. It's baseball. It's hockey. It's all these different leagues that are starting to emerge and have huge fan bases where you can watch women's professional sports all year round. They're nationally televised games. [00:10:31] Miko Lee: Thank you for the history lesson and current events of women's sports. I love it. One of the other things that was really special for this Filipino heritage night was the halftime show where they had DJ P-Lo playing. And then they brought onto the court, the director of SOMA Pilipinas, Raquel Redondiez, and she runs San Francisco's Filipino Cultural Heritage District. She got her name on a Valkyries jersey, and was announced in the halftime moment as a big show. [00:11:05] Mia Nakano: I had a conversation with her said, ” the work that you are doing, particularly in this moment, bringing together the artists, the culture of Filipinos and Filipino history is so critical right now because so many of our communities, cultures, and stories are getting erased, that we are the culture bearers and culture keepers, and so thank you for doing that work.” [00:11:31] Miko Lee: SOMA Pilipinas, for those that don't know, was established as a Filipino cultural heritage district in 2016 and was one of the first in the state designated as an arts district by California Arts Council in 2017. So they do so much great work, they host great things from the, United States of Asian America Festival every year. Self-defense workshops for women. I've taken those in Kapwa Gardens that were amazing. They do mental health services for Filipino folks and provided groceries and COVID education and, Filipino language training, and then artists, as you were saying. They pulled together all these different folks, for this wonderful night to introduce a sense of heritage and a sense of pride that was really powerful. [00:12:19] Mia Nakano: , It's a really lovely connection back to the Filipinos banding together with Chinese American folks in Chinatown that really helped create the broader Asian American movement and what that word and power even means. [00:12:38] Miko Lee: From the I-Hotel to today [00:12:40] Mia Nakano: exactly, and all of that being really anchored and rooted in San Francisco, as well as everything that Larry Itliong did with union organizing that I think has just recently started to get recognized in the broader social justice movement.  [00:12:58] Miko Lee: I'll put links to past shows that we've done on the I-Hotel, on Larry Itliong, because folks, if they don't know about either of those movement le- leaders and huge moments in our Asian American history, they should. It's powerful part of our labor and housing rights history. Were there other things that stood out to you at this Valkyries game? [00:13:20] Mia Nakano: I know that this is probably not gonna be a surprise to you, but the fact that we honestly just got to go behind the scenes and see the inner workings of what the Valkyries, the tunnels and getting lost and trying to figure out where we're going. [00:13:34] Miko Lee: It was a maze down there, by the way. It was like, which direction? Go to this press room. No, this press room. This place. It was very much kind of, in theater-wise, it's like going backstage and seeing how the tech is done.  [00:13:46] Mia Nakano: The thing that was the most exciting about this unique experience was being able to see Natalie Nakase talk after the game, and the snippet in here is really incredible because it shed light into not just who she is as a coach and how she approached the game, but her investment in people, and the importance of seeing people for their full selves, and the importance of the whole WNBA as a league, as a business. They have a lot of money and power, so who are we gonna lift up? It's a always a very intentional choice of what is happening at Chase Arena, at the Valkyries nights, these heritage nights that really uplift so many wonderful communities that are doing incredible work.  [00:14:36] Miko Lee: We're gonna get a chance to do an interview with Coach Natalie in a different episode, so stay tuned for that. Is there anything else that you would like to share with our audience?  [00:14:45] Mia Nakano: Go see a Valkyries game. Go to Balhalla. It will change your life.  [00:14:50] Miko Lee: Experience Balhalla. Okay. Thank you for joining me, and hopefully you'll join me back when we do an interview with Coach Natalie too.  [00:14:59] Mia Nakano: Oh, absolutely.  [00:15:00] Miko Lee: To frame the conversation, we start with Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, the first Asian American woman to coach a WNBA team. Last year, she was named WNBA Coach of the Year, and at the post-game presser, a reporter asked her, “Tonight is Filipino National Heritage Night, so can you talk a little bit about what it means for fans to be seen around the league?” This is her response. [00:15:25] Natalie Nakase: Yeah. It's huge. I love the fact that we can celebrate and acknowledge different cultures. I'm really big on that. I think it gives people almost like a superpower or a confidence for, you know, the day to be recognized like that and to be celebrated for everything that their, their culture brings. it also, I think, educates people about different cultures. And so I love the fact that we're super intentional about that because I think we have to do that more than not. And, it's exciting. I think this world needs more celebration. I think this world needs more love, more care, especially when some people are not seen as much. [00:16:01] Miko Lee: In the very loud outdoor Chase Arena area, we spoke with several of the folks involved in Filipino Heritage Night at the Valkyries. Please note that the sound quality is due to the nature of being outside a really excited fan base at the game. First off, listen in as we hear from Al Perez, who helped to curate this community celebration. [00:16:23] Al Perez: Hello, my name is Al Perez. I am a community organizer. I'm serving as president of a nonprofit called the Filipino American Arts Exposition, and we partnered with the Valkyries to help curate their cultural activation for Filipino Heritage Night tonight. [00:16:41] Miko Lee: Since the Valkyries are named after women warriors, is there a Filipina version of a woman warrior? [00:16:48] Al Perez: Absolutely. We have one that's local. Her name is Victoria Manalo Draves. She was the first American woman to win two Olympic golds in the Olympics in nine- 1928. She happens to be Filipina-American. So yeah, she was born and raised here in, in San Francisco Bay Area, so we're very proud of her to be, to represent us and be the warrior and an inspiration for all of us.  [00:17:11] Miko Lee: Excellent. And since Valhalla or Valhalla is the space that we want to get to, what is the Filipino version of that place you want to see? [00:17:19] Al Perez: Wow. [00:17:20] Miko Lee: That perfect world you wanna get to. [00:17:21] Al Perez: I think for us, we have this tradition called bayanihan. That's when we help each other towards a common goal. Yes. No matter how Herculean that task is, it's just coming together to help each other. So it's not necessarily a destination. It's more like an attitude of, coming together as a community towards a common goal, towards a cultural pride and community empowerment. [00:17:46] Miko Lee: Great. And tell us what you're doing here today with all these groups. [00:17:47] Al Perez: So we have an outreach table here because we're part of the organizing committee to curate tonight's event. So we actually have an event next weekend called the Pistahan Parade and Festival. It's the largest Filipino cultural celebration in the country, happening August 8th and 9th at the Yerba Buena Gardens, so please come check us out. There's a big parade down Market Street on Saturday to kick off the festival weekend, and then the festival's at the Yerba Buena Gardens, 11 to 5. We're here to promote that event as well as all our other upcoming events in the fall. We're also curating the Filipino Heritage Night with the Golden State Warriors, with the Giants, San Jose Sharks, and San Jose Earthquakes. And then one more. October is Filipino American History Month in the country. So we also produce official celebration proclamation by the mayor at City Hall. So we have a reception, we have entertainment, and we light the City Hall building with Philippine flag colors.  [00:18:42] Miko Lee: And when folks are coming out to these Filipino nights, what should they expect? What's happening?  [00:18:47] Al Perez: Our goal is to be here to be in community, to help showcase our beautiful culture, our traditions. So when these events happen, we usually have, cultural performances, either a pre-game or a halftime. Tonight you're gonna see, P-Lo, a Filipino rapper and a hip hop singer. Here in the plaza we have some basketball hoops, because basketball is a big thing in the Philippines, our national sport. There's also, Sarap Shop is a concession inside. They have Filipino food there. Our goal is to get people a little taste of our Filipino culture, so hopefully they'll be inspired to, to learn more about our community and our culture. [00:19:29] Miko Lee: And what's your dream for the game tonight?  [00:19:31] Al Perez: Of course, to win, right? Number, yeah, number one, Valkyries to win. And also, I hope that people will come and learn about our culture, and to appreciate it more. Maybe it will inspire them to try some Filipino food, or even come to our Pistahan Festival next weekend. Also Señor Sisig is right here in the plaza. They also do fusion Filipino food. I'm hoping that, by being here, people can get to be a little bit more familiar and curious about Filipino culture and community. We have such a, vibrant and diverse culture, we love to be in community. Our food's delicious, and entertainment's fantastic. So come check us out wherever and whenever you can.  [00:20:14] Mia Nakano: I'm wondering if you could talk a little bit about the artists who are here and the community organizations that are here tonight.  [00:20:19] Al Perez: So there's several of us nonprofit organizations here. Our group's the Filipino American Arts Exposition, our mission is more about broadening awareness and deepening understanding of Filipino culture and traditions by doing these cultural events. There's another group here called Young Filipino Professionals Association, or YFPA. They're more about, , uplifting young entrepreneurs, young career-minded, individuals to help them on their path to being more successful. There's also SoMa Pilipinas Cultural District is here. That's a new, relatively new, neighborhood in San Francisco. You know, there's Chinatown, there's Japantown, there's North Beach, so now we also have a Filipino community. It's called SoMa Pilipinas, they're also celebrating their 10th anniversary this year as being, designated as a cultural district. There's also Venazir is a visual artist. She's doing live art mural here inspired by Filipino culture and the intersection of culture and basketball. So it's a great way for people to kind of learn about our fine arts, our visual arts, and our he- heritage. Kristian Cabuay is doing script writing of traditional pre-colonial Philippine script. You know, Chinese and Japanese have their own script writing. The Phi- Filipino community also did before we were colonized by Spain. It's kind of almost forgotten and almost wiped out, so there's a few people now that's trying to revive that, that old tradition of writing .. It's called Baybayin.    [00:21:42] Mia Nakano: Can you talk a little bit about the history or why basketball is the national sport of the Philippines?   [00:21:48] Al Perez: Yeah. It's interesting. Yeah, why is basketball the national sport? I'm not sure exactly, but I think it has to do when after the Philippines was colonized by Spain, and then it, the country became, a commonwealth of the United States, right? And during that time, a lot of Americans came to the Philippines, to establish educational institutions, and one of them is sports. It just got introduced to us, and somehow it clicked. Everybody loves basketball. No matter where you are in the Philippines, in every little barrio, every little town, there's always a game happening [00:22:21] Miko Lee: So are people playing in school, like they start in elementary school, or is it more community based?  [00:22:26] Al Perez: I think it's both. It's just kinda grow, ingrown when you're just a kid growing up in your community. There's always basketball around you, surrounded by basketball. And then of course in more, elementary, high school, it became more teams dynamic, and you got competitions , intramural games. Even between little neighborhoods and little towns, they also have competitions. It's really a big deal. In fact, they love NBA. All the American basketball players are so popular. Everybody knows who they are. [00:22:54] Miko Lee: Al mentioned artist Venazir Martinez, and we pulled her away from the beautiful mural she was creating to talk with us. Again, this is outside, so the sound is quite loud. Venazir is a muralist and a visual anthropreneur. She weaves a tapestry of narratives that explore the connections between human traditions and the ever-changing landscapes that shape them. Listen as she tells us about her work and how she utilizes a symbolic red thread [00:23:25] Venazir Martinez: I'm Venazir Martinez. I am a muralist and a visual entrepreneur, and I am invited to create a live painting for the Golden State Valkyries. [00:23:36] Miko Lee: What has inspired you to create this work of art? [00:23:39] Venazir Martinez: So first and foremost, of course, women empowerment, and we have a lot of very talented Filipino Americans who play basketball. In the Philippines, because I grew up in the Philippines, basketball is such a huge deal. Everywhere in the most promote areas in the Philippines, basketball is their way of enjoying themselves and just pretty much having a time of their life. Basketball tenements are everywhere in the most remote areas in the Philippines. There's this concept of Filipino resiliency that I wanted to incorporate in my work, there are basketball hoops that is made out of wood scraps and like discarded metals. I wanted to highlight that part of Philippine ingenuity. That's why I'm here is to just shed light on that beautiful concept of Filipino ingenuity that we have.  [00:24:40] Miko Lee: I love that. Thank you for sharing. Can you break down what a basketball tenement is?  [00:24:44] Venazir Martinez: Oh, basketball tenement. So tenement courts, these are,.. How do I say this? In America, there's basketball courts that is, like, roofed. Okay. With a roof, and-  [00:24:54] Miko Lee: Like in a gymnasium.  [00:24:56] Venazir Martinez: In a gymnasium, yes. But in the Philippines, anywhere can be a basketball tenement court. They'll just put up a basketball hoop in a pole, like an electricity pole, and they can already play basketball in that area. [00:25:12] Miko Lee: So their court's just made up anywhere. Yeah. Anywhere in the community.  [00:25:14] Venazir Martinez: Anywhere in the community, in the most remote areas in the Philippines, they do that all the time. I grew up in the Philippines, so, it's that really is an immersive experience of having to see basketball really change lives for young people in our community. [00:25:32] Miko Lee: So we're at a WNBA game, and I'm wondering if there was a woman basketball player that you looked up to when you were growing up.  [00:25:39] Venazir Martinez: Growing up, my dad plays basketball. That's the only experience I know that, remembering what basketball is like. ‘Cause I'm mostly in martial arts. But here I am trying to experience a different, like, more empowering way of sports. And it's when I came to America that I experienced this kind of really, it's kind of empowering.  [00:26:01] Miko Lee: And since the Valkyries are women warriors, is there a Filipina equivalent of the woman warrior? Is there a Filipina equivalent of a woman warrior? [00:26:01] Venazir Martinez: There's a lot. There's a lot of very empowering Filipina. First and foremost, it's the Filipina community leaders that I know of in the Bay Area. They are my women warriors. They helped me from the ground up. They created a home for me. They, you know, so they welcomed me. The filipina community in the Bay Area welcomed me. They're all women.  [00:26:31] Miko Lee: Who would you say are some of those folks, some of those women?  [00:26:34] Venazir Martinez: Sonia Villarin, she wears so many hats. She's president of Filipina Food Movement, founder of summer camp in the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in San Francisco. She was the, senior vice president for Bank of America Global Leasing, and she welcomed her home to me and, pretty much, helped me establish my life here as an artist. So those are my women warriors. [00:27:00] Miko Lee: And when people see your beautiful work, what do you want them to walk away with feeling? [00:27:05] Venazir Martinez: I want them to take a second look again in my work, because these, my work pretty much talks about Filipino immigrants, and immigration at large, and pretty much our contributions and the harvested hopes that we have contributed in this cultural landscape,  [00:27:28] Miko Lee: this show is a pop-up tonight, so where can folks find out more about your work or see your work in the community? [00:27:34] Venazir Martinez: I have a huge, huge mural, 2,500 square feet mural in 5th and Folsom in San Francisco, downtown San Francisco in SoMa. It's called Ani, meaning to harvest. There's one in downtown Santa Cruz. There is one in Yuba City. There are multiple murals in Michigan, in New York, mostly in Queens. It's pretty much everywhere, but if you follow the red thread, which is my signature, my artist signature, you'll know that it's my work.  [00:28:08] Miko Lee: Thank you so much. Thank you so very much. Appreciate you taking the time. Another artist presenting their work was Kristian Kabuay working on pre-Philippines calligraphy. His line was so long that we ended up interviewing him separately. Christian is an artist, entrepreneur, futurist who specializes in endangered writing systems and tattoos from the Philippines. Hello, and welcome to Apex Express. Can you tell me your name, your background and what you were doing at the Valkyries Filipino Heritage Night? [00:28:40] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah. My name is Kristian Kabuay. I'm a cultural practitioner specializing in our old, uh, pre-colonial, I say pre-Philippine, writing system and tattooing traditions. I was at the Valkyries, Filipino Heritage Night to interact with the community. I've done a lot of work with the Warriors, you know, going back to Oracle for these cultural nights, the Giants, as well. So most of the teams in the Bay Area, but it was my first time with the Valkyries, and it was quite different. [00:29:16] Miko Lee: How was it different?  [00:29:17] Kristian Kabuay: The vibe was, um… I'm telling everybody that it was my first Valkyries game, too. So the vibe was different. It reminds me of the old Oracle, it wasn't full of, like, tech money that are, you know, Patagonia vests watching the game. It felt very homegrown and it just brought me back to those days in old Oakland A's and when the Warriors were in Oracle. [00:29:42] Miko Lee: What does that evoke for you? What is that feeling like?  [00:29:46] Kristian Kabuay: It gives me a stronger sense of community and the audience is different. The demographics is different. There isn't that toxic male energy. I don't have to worry about someone being drunk and going off and, it was very homey and welcoming. It brings back, as a kid, when I used to watch A's games in the bleachers, watching at Oracle, the community, and not everyone was there to be seen. They were really there for the team.  [00:30:15] Miko Lee: Oh, I love that. I actually do feel like it is, it's such a we're together community vibe. [00:30:20] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah. They even had the wave. I know some snooty teams, they don't have the wave, so-  [00:30:26] Miko Lee: That wave went on for a long time, too.  [00:30:29] Kristian Kabuay: Exactly. I've been to a lot of games. They're, “Oh, I don't wanna look stupid,” or whatever? So that's a big part of my childhood.  [00:30:36] Miko Lee: So I was gonna try and talk with you at the game like I did the other artists, but you had a huge line waiting to see you and talk to you. Talk with me a little bit more about your art form and this pre-clo colonization form of writing.  [00:30:52] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah. Most civilizations had a writing system. It was prior to the land alphabet when the Spanish came and colonized the Philippines in the 1500s. We have this writing. There's only one ethnolinguistic group left in the Philippines that writes it. I come from a background of calligraphy, graffiti and abstract art. When I started to practice it, I incorporated those things. Later I found that I had to become an educator. Then starting to do the cultural festivals. Then you make your parents proud. It wasn't until I started to interact with the community that, there was this responsibility. I didn't come from a highly academic background, but I was being invited to Stanford and Berkeley to give talks about this. So, you know, that imposter syndrome kicked in. Because of the efforts that I've started in, 2010s, the idea of education around this specific writing system, my service isn't really needed. It's out there. Wikipedia, even AI can do it now, and there's a lot of influencers on TikTok that are, building on the stuff that I did 10 years ago. It goes in line with my idea of putting myself out of business. ‘Cause if it's a cultural practice, then you shouldn't be this gatekeeper, this apex of this this knowledge or this practice. It needs to be spread  [00:32:15] Miko Lee: What is the writing system called?  [00:32:17] Kristian Kabuay: A couple names. One of the popular names is Baybayin, and that literally means to spell. It's an adverb, but then it became a noun. So there's many different names depending on the languages in the Philippines.  [00:32:30] Miko Lee: And you said that there's a village of folks that still utilize it. Have you been there?  [00:32:34] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah, I was there in 2016 with a research trip. I stayed with them for a few days to learn, a bit about more about the culture and to donate some time and volunteer, 'cause there's the Mangyan Heritage Foundation. I did some technology work with them. But then also meet with the elders that were there. The village elder did an interview for a film project that I'm doing, but also met the heirs, the daughters in the family that ultimately inherited this practice. [00:33:02] Miko Lee: And so they know that you're teaching this cultural practice around the world, and what is their opinion of that? What do they think?  [00:33:09] Kristian Kabuay: They like it, because it's a different perspective, and a lot of questions. When I go home they go, “Oh, why are you interested in this?” It's a totally different perspective. ‘Cause out here, we have our identity, and the diaspora issues. But back home, because of circumstances, colonization, et cetera, then, the priority is to eat, to live, not to preserve these cultural practices. I've had some indigenous elders tell me that when People come over there, to do their dissertation and they need to figure out their paper to get their PhD. They ask them, “What are you doing to preserve this?” It's kind of extractive or, like, information gathering. Honestly, it really is you strip it down, it is, survival: food, clothing, and shelter.  [00:33:52] Miko Lee: When people were standing in line for you at the actual Valkyrie's game, what were they asking you to write? Were they asking you to write notes or their name, or what was the request?  [00:34:03] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah. Yeah, the line… I was telling people I've never had a line that long when I've done the Warriors. So- … you know, it's kind of different.  [00:34:10] Miko Lee: That's interesting. Just saying [00:34:11] Kristian Kabuay: Yes. I was writing mainly people's names- Mm um, and some words. Maybe a, a good third were non-Filipino, some were there just curious and asking and cultural sharing. Someone knows a Filipino and they go, “Oh, can you write mahal kita?” Like, I love you. And so, we pick up things, just here in the Bay Area. I have conversations with people wanna hear a family name that I never heard about. I say, “Whoa, where's your family from?” Kids learn the stories on how they combine names and some of the origins. It's always interesting when I do this with folks. [00:34:44] Miko Lee: I love that. And you're also a tattoo artist. Do you use some of this writing in your tattoo artistry?  [00:34:51] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah, I do. And that's where the separation between the art and the cultural practice is. Where the writing wasn't tattooed traditionally, but that's where I kind of balance the art. And I separate those two where art is my expression, my personal expression on paper or maybe even on a body, but a cultural practice is more about them and their lineage. So I have to be clear to make those two distinctions.  [00:35:20] Miko Lee: So a question I've asked all the different people that have been involved in this night is that the Valkyries are based on women warriors, and I wonder if there's a Filipina woman warrior that comes to mind to you? [00:35:32] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah, there is. There's one that, part of the lore. Where my dad's from, in his area called Pangasinan, the land of the salt. There's a princess warrior named Princess Urduja that was thought of as a great warrior. This specific Princess Urduja has that Valkyrie's spirit. All the artwork that you see and Academics will say, “Oh, it's you're romanticizing,” and things like that. But you know what? We need a little romance in our lives, right? And romance leads to action.  [00:36:03] Miko Lee: Ah, we certainly do. I'm wondering, with all those people, the long line that stood waiting for you, and you're having these conversations, what would you like them to walk away with after interacting with you?  [00:36:14] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah. That's why there was a sign, and I took a picture of it. It doesn't say, Philippine writing. So it says pre-Philippine calligraphy. I made that term up in 2007 as a way to jolt someone's idea of what pre-Hispanic, pre-colonial is. ‘Cause those things kinda just fly overhead. But if I said pre-Philippines, people, they take a step back and they, “What's that mean?” Or they try to have a smart comeback, “Well, what were we before then?” And my question's always then, “Well, I don't know. Let's talk about it.” That gray area, that being uncomfortable, leads to more curiosity, and ultimately, that's what I want folks to go ahead and, you know… oh, I have this banana leaf. I ran out of index cards. I brought 100 of them. I had these banana leaves that I just meant to decorate the table. I said, “You know what? Let me write on these banana leaves like how our ancestors did.” People are asking, “Oh, what, we wrote on banana leaves?” I'm all, “Yeah, we wrote on, organic materials.” So this thing is probably gonna wilt away in a few weeks or a month or so, but that's how it is. So it's a metaphor for our physical selves, but then also, the message. Maybe they can go ahead and learn how to write it themselves or until we reconnect again. [00:37:31] Miko Lee: Hmm. That's beautiful. And how can our audience find out more about you and your work?  [00:37:36] Kristian Kabuay: Yeah, you can just search for me online. My last name's K-A-B-U-A-Y. First name's Kristian, both with a K. All over the internets and the socials, pretty easy to find.  [00:37:46] Miko Lee: Thank you. And we'll put links to your website in our show notes, so thank you so much for chatting with me today. [00:37:52] Kristian Kabuay: Thanks, Miko [00:37:54] Miko Lee: I honestly didn't know that basketball was such a revered sport in the Philippines. So wanting to find out more, I reached out to a bunch of community folks, and multiple people said, “Reach out to Coach Carolyn Sudeco. She's the one. She's in the know.” So talking to me from her vacation spot halfway around the world is Coaching Kapwa's Carolyn Sudeco. Welcome, Carolyn Sideco, to Apex Express. I'm so happy to have you here.  [00:38:19] Carolyn Sideco: Thank you for having me.  [00:38:21] Miko Lee: Can you first start by telling me who are your people and what legacy do you carry with you? [00:38:27] Carolyn Sideco: Oh my gosh, my people are, collectively, folks who identify as, Philippinics, Filipina, Filipino, and American, and, migratory, and those who claim blood relation and those who I'm still looking for. I live in San Francisco, California, Ohlone land, and also in the land of Choctaw Bulbancha, which is New Orleans, Louisiana. Those are the two places I reside.  [00:39:04] Miko Lee: Can you share about your work with Coaching Kapwa?  [00:39:08] Carolyn Sideco: Coaching Kapwa is what I love to do, and my background professionally is as a certified athletic administrator. I'm a physical educator at the high school level by profession, by certification, by training. But really what I love to do, and so what I do in my consultancy, is I explore and I examine and I think about and learn about everything related to sports cultures and how the culture of sports in all its various ways affect our societies. Specifically, I geek out over learning about my own Filipino American histories and other peoples. Learning that through the concept or the constructs of culture and how sports really is, for me, the funnest way to investigate who I am and who we are to each other. I call myself a sports relationship coach. I am a sports cultures consultant. I also like to identify as a sports liberator. [00:40:16] Miko Lee: Ooh, can you break down what a sports liberator is? [00:40:20] Carolyn Sideco: Miko, I took that from a friend of mine, Danya Cabello, also from the East Bay. Played at Cal, played professionally, and when I first met her years ago, she identified as such, and I said, “That is exactly the kind of person that I wanna be, like, in sports.” I wanted sports to be a way that I could share with people who we are to one another. I wanted to teach young people that they can express themselves in a way that helps make them feel free. With my background in sports administration, I was feeling like the sports industrial complex was really the antithesis of that. And what a lot of people in my profession were striving for was this success that was not defined in the same way that I was defining what my liberation was, and what I felt through sports. So I adopted that. I asked Dania, “Can I call myself a sports liberator too?” And she said, “Girl, you call yourself whatever you want.” So that's what I go by.  [00:41:37] Miko Lee: Ooh, thank you for sharing. That's so interesting in the midst of our kind of capitalization of sports, how corporate it has become. Interesting. Thanks. I also wanted to thank you for sharing with me, Rafe Bartholomew's Hoop Nation and Cassidy Hubbard's, Hoop's Paradise. So those, along with your YouTubes, really gave me a grounding in the connection to between basketball and the Philippines. I'll put a link to those in the show notes for other people that like to do deep dives like me. But can you just give our audience a sense of why basketball is so popular in the Philippines?  [00:42:10] Carolyn Sideco: I learned about the history of basketball and Filipino culture in the Philippines through various people, Rafe Bartholomew one of them, and his book Pacific Rims. A friend of mine here in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kevin Santos, was doing his master's thesis on the history of basketball in the Philippines, and putting an ethnic studies frame on it, so he was the one who actually, practiced his thesis and presentation with me, and I learned a lot through him, and through other people as I was learning about this myself, and how basketball when it was initially, or as we, the modern game of basketball was invented, by Dr. Naismith in Massachusetts with the peach tree basket. Most of us are familiar with that history, but also that was around the time of the Philippine-American War, and US colonization was at its beginning. And so what did the United States export, was its culture, and a lot of that was through sports, mainly baseball, 'cause baseball was already the national pastime. Basketball was relatively new, and basketball was taught in the Philippines also, like in conjunction with the American education system by teachers, by the Thomasites, and by others who were using that form of colonization. They gave basketball to the women and the girls, because it was the lesser sport. It was the newer sport, so it was the lesser sport. They gave it to the women. The men were supposed to play baseball. The Philippines is a collective society- Baseball is a spread out sport, and people aren't close to one another. You're out on a field, it's hella hot, and it's boring. [00:44:17] Miko Lee: Agree. Totally agree …  [00:44:19] Carolyn Sideco: it's easy, to make this assumption that these people playing baseball were watching the girls and women play basketball, and it's faster. Close to one another. It's easy to make a space. So they started playing basketball.  [00:44:39] Miko Lee: Also, you don't need all the things. You need a ball. [00:44:41] Carolyn Sideco: Exactly. In the early days, you didn't even need shoes. Yeah. So it took off in that way because basketball already itself was an activity that Filipino people, kinda took hold of already, and they made it their own. Trained teams started forming and the Philippines had national teams that were already very successful in Asian context, so Asian tournaments they were dominating. In 1975, the Philippine Basketball Association became the first men's, basketball league in Asia, and the first after the NBA in America. So the Philippines has had a long history of relationship with the sport of basketball, but because it's been so long, the sport itself was formed in response to all the cultural aspects that were already existing, right? a lot of town squares had basketball courts 'cause it was so easy to put there. So the same plazas, meeting spaces where people would have their town gatherings, social places, were also courts  [00:45:56] Miko Lee: And why do you think or just surmise that basketball has taken off more than, football or American term soccer, which is developed so much in other countries, which is also a little bit more communal? [00:46:08] Carolyn Sideco: My opinion is that American colonization, in the United States dictated, much more the United States cannot dictate because football or soccer is a more global sport, and the US didn't have as much stake in guiding that as a colonization tool as they did basketball. [00:46:29] Miko Lee: Hmm. Interesting. Speaking of the colonization and politics, I'm wondering about the connection between basketball and politics. In, Cassidy's podcast, they were talking about a politician who released their own basketball shoe, which is wild to me. Yes. So I wonder if there's other connections between basketball or politics, and if that's generally somebody who's more on the colonizer's viewpoint or more conservative viewpoint. Hmm.  [00:46:58] Carolyn Sideco: Hmm. Interesting. I, hmm, I go back and forth with this a lot, Miko, the colonizing tool that is sports, especially the capitalistic sort of, extraction, of sports, right? Of its players, who I like to think of as workers. They're also workers, right? The professional, Philippine Basketball Association is not much different than even professional sports in America with the way they're set up, right? You have owning groups or companies, and so you have these ways that exploitation and that workers' rights are… how do I say it? Because it's at the professional level, these concepts are very much at play, excuse the pun. The Philippines also has a governmental arm related to sports. So sports in and of itself is recognized, right? It doesn't have as much of this sort of altruistic thing as, as we say in the United States, like the sports is like the good of mankind, like that sort of thing. Like, I think, you know-  [00:48:08] Miko Lee: The kind of Olympic idea of unity, it brings us all together. [00:48:11] Carolyn Sideco: Right, like that, those conceptual sorts of virtues.  [00:48:15] Miko Lee: Mm-hmm.  [00:48:15] Carolyn Sideco: Yeah. So in the Philippines, I think it's so much more practical because it's fun, and you could get in a game anywhere, and it's accessible. Mm-hmm. It's accessible to all strata, economic strata, right? You see basketball courts everywhere, in rural areas in cities. Everywhere you'll see basketball courts. The Philippines itself as a country- I think that relationship to sports is something different than the American relationship to professional sports, where dominance and, winning and, beating others and making as much money as possible in that is at the forefront. In the United States even with youth sports now. I do some consulting work, especially in youth sports spaces, and the privatization and the extraction of the youth sports space is, is… We could go on all day about that. I think, this is obviously from a Filipino American perspective. For sure. I've never lived in the Philippines. I was born in the Philippines, but my relationship to the Philippines is also, being mitigated by how I experience American sports, right? So when I think about how I've experienced basketball when I've gone to the Philippines, , and it's the same as any aspect of that culture, right? It's warm, it's welcoming, it's friendly, and those are the cultural aspects that kind of, , supersede the fact that basketball… Basketball has its place, but it's in service to the cultural needs, right? To the need to be social, to participate in a town gathering. It's so sociopolitical.- And because it is, it's still a colonizing tool, right? But it's still mitigated in a way that I think just like Filipino basketball players are so, like, quick. They're known for quickness, agility, and finesse, and, like, drama, right? I used to joke around, like, you can always tell where a Filipino basketball player is in the United States 'cause no Filipino who has Filipino blood in them can do a regular layup. Like they have to make it all fancy. I think that, those sorts of aspects that are not tangible, that bring to light, the way a culture of people affect the sport. it enables a culture to push out through the boundaries of that sport what was given to them. What was given to them is, “This is how you play. These are the rules,” and all that kinda stuff, and that's great, but Filipino history of basketball is always, like, how do you integrate all the really cool things about your culture? It's something that's very different, and it emerges as something that's not quite American. [00:51:36] Miko Lee: Thank you so much. I'm wondering how our audience can find out more about you and your work.  [00:51:43] Carolyn Sideco: They can, follow me on Instagram at coachingkapwa, K-A-P-W-A. Kapwa is the Filipino word for the concept of interrelationship, interconnectedness. And so everything I learned about being, being a person really is through being a good teammate, and sports is the funnest way, like I've said before to practice being a good teammate  [00:52:12] Miko Lee: Thank you so much, Coach, for sharing with me about Sports Liberation and your work, and I'll put links to all that in our show notes. And I thank you so much for joining us on Apex Express.  [00:52:23] Carolyn Sideco: Thank you, Miko [00:52:25] Miko Lee: Please check out our website, kpfa.org/program/apexexpress to find out more about our show and our guests tonight. We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating, and sharing your visions with the world because your voices are important. Apex Express is produced by Ayame Keane-Lee, Anuj Vaidya, Cheryl Truong, Isabel Li, Jalena Keane-Lee, Miko Lee, Miata Tan, Preti Mangala-Shekar and Swati Rayasam. Tonight's show was produced by me Miko Lee, and edited by Ayame Keane-Lee. Have a great night.    The post APEX Express – 8.13.26 – Bayanihan in Ballhalla appeared first on KPFA.

Playground è lo spin-off di Potrero dedicato alle storie, alle voci e alle traiettorie più affascinanti del basket, raccontate in tre atti. In questa puntata i protagonisti sono i Golden State Warriors: una franchigia senza una sola casa, nata a Philadelphia, diventata californiana tra San Francisco e Oakland, cresciuta nel rumore della Oracle Arena e trasformata poi in una delle dinastie più influenti della NBA moderna. Dalle radici storiche al mito “We Believe”, fino alla rivoluzione di Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Klay Thompson e Draymond Green: la storia di una squadra che non si è limitata a vincere, ma ha cambiato il modo di pensare il basket. A cura di Giuseppe Broggini e Fabio ArdizzonePotrero, dove tutto ha inizio. Un podcast sul calcio italiano e internazionale.Su Como TV (https://tv.comofootball.com) nel 2026 potete seguire in diretta le partite della Saudi Pro League, Saudi King's Cup, Supercoppa d'Arabia, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa, Liga Profesional Argentina, Trofeo de Campeones argentino, Eredivisie, Coppa di Francia, Scottish Premiership, Coppa di Scozia, Scottish League Cup, Scottish Championship, Coppa di Portogallo, Supercoppa di Portogallo, HNL croata e tutti i contenuti di calcio italiano e internazionale on demand.Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/potrero--5761582/support.

Will and Alex break down All-Star Saturday Night from Chase Center, highlighting Mac McClung's jaw-dropping dunk contest performance and why NBA stars continue to avoid challenging him. They also discuss Steph Curry's absence from the three-point shootout, Gelo's live performance, Chris Paul's questionable tactics in the Skills Challenge, and Will's first trip back to Oracle Arena since the 2019 championship run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Warrior Jason Richardson joins The Roast to talk about his favorite Oracle Arena memories, Draymond Greens comments about Jordan Poole, and of course the Big 3 League coming to Oracle Arena this weekend. Download the Audacy app to never miss any of your favorite 957 The Game content: https://go.audacy.com/y-listen-live-957thegame

Just imagine... at one point we thought this surprisingly epic True Orphans series might fit in two episodes, HA! Anyway, for this final episode Martin and Sam consider the Waits material from 2010 to the present day, including several contributions to tribute albums, a few live recordings, and his beautiful-yet-flawed farewell to David Letterman. website: songbysongpodcast.com twitter: @songbysongpod e-mail: songbysongpodcast@gmail.com Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include: Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing, Preservation - An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program, Tom Waits & The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (2010) Corrine Died on the Battlefield, Preservation - An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program, Tom Waits & The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (2010) Fortune Has its Cookies To Give Out, live recording, Herbst Theater, San Francisco CA, w. Lawrence Ferlinghetti (2 October 2010)  Ghost to a Ghost, Ghost to a Ghost, Hank Williams III (2011) Fadin Moon, Ghost to a Ghost, Hank Williams III (2011) Shenandoah, Son Of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys, Tom Waits & Keith Richards (2013) Little Red Rooster, live recording, Oracle Arena, Oakland CA, The Rolling Stones w. Tom Waits (5 May 2013) Take One Last Look, live recording, The Late Show with David Letterman, New York NY, Tom Waits (14 May 2015) The Soul of a Man, God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnston, Tom Waits (2016) John The Revelator, God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnston, Tom Waits (2016) Respect Yourself, live recording, Lagunitas Amphitheatre, Petaluma CA, Mavis Staples w. Tom Waits (11 September 2017) Rains On Me, live recording, Troubador, Los Angeles CA, w. Chuck E. Weiss & Tom Waits (18 March 2022) Getting Drunk On A Bottle / I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning, live recording, Snap Sessions - KPFK FM - Santa Monica OR Folk Arts Rare Records, w. Dave Blue (November, 1973) We think your Song by Song experience will be enhanced by hearing, in full, the songs featured in the show, which you can get hold of from your favourite record shop or online platform. Please support artists by buying their music, or using services which guarantee artists a revenue - listen responsibly.

Sam and Andy discuss the Warriors playing the Suns on opening night as well as try outs.  Next (15:56) they are joined by Kyle Madson to discuss Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs and memories of Oracle Arena. Favorite moments?  Later (37:02) they discuss Niners opening preseason v. Raiders. Finally, they discuss how happy Steve Kerr looks coaching Team USA. Host: Sam Esfandiari and Andy Liu Producer: Tim Angan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam and Andy discuss the Warriors playing the Suns on opening night as well as try outs.  Next (15:56) they are joined by Kyle Madson to discuss Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs and memories of Oracle Arena. Favorite moments?  Later (37:02) they discuss Niners opening preseason v. Raiders. Finally, they discuss how happy Steve Kerr looks coaching Team USA. Host: Sam Esfandiari and Andy Liu Producer: Tim Angan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3rd, 2007. Oracle Arena is rocking. In Oakland, 20,000 fans, all wearing mustard-yellow t-shirts with the slogan “We Believe,” are amped. It's so loud that the opposing players can't even hear each other in the huddle.That's because the 2007 Golden State Warriors are on the verge of pulling off the greatest upset in the history of the NBA playoffs.Today, the Warriors square off against the Dallas Mavericks, a 67-win team led by league MVP Dirk Nowitzki. It's a matchup that pretty much everyone – from the media, to the fans, to the Las Vegas sportsbooks – agrees they should lose. How are the We Believe Warriors able to take down a juggernaut? And even though they don't come close to winning a title, how is this team more impactful on today's NBA than most championship teams?Special thanks to our guests: Adonal Foyle, 13-year NBA veteran, and center for the 2007 “We Believe” Warriors; Logan Murdock, writer for The Ringer and co-host of the NBA podcast “Real Ones”; Marcus Thompson, lead columnist covering the Bay Area for The Athletic, and author of “Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry”; and Tyler Puryear, Mike Guardabascio, and John Nichols, the trio behind the “Jenkins and Jonez” NBA podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Marcus Thompson is a long-time Golden State Warriors beat reporter and Bay Area News Group sports columnist and currently writes for The Athletic. Growing up, he was fascinated by two things: words and Bay Area sports teams. In our conversation, he highlights teachers and other adults in his life that encouraged him to lean into writing, including sportswriter Michael Silver. From 1971 to 2019, the Warriors called Oracle Arena in Oakland home until moving to the swanky new Chase Center in San Francisco. Marcus notes that the brand of the Warriors was built on the accessible and communal nature of basketball and details the grassroots momentum of the team. He shares why he thinks the marketing and communication missteps have left fans feeling slighted, abandoned, and priced out of their beloved team. We talk about how this uprooting parallels a lot of what's happening in our community. I've been vocal about the shift in demographics, gentrification, and rising cost of living in the Bay Area, and as an Oakland native, Marcus has experienced it, too. Finally, we discuss why it's so valuable for young athletes to learn the art of storytelling. He explains what's required of them these days, including an element of branding and taking ownership over your narrative. Listen in to hear our conversation about how local sports teams often reflect the cultural dynamics of their community, and so much more.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered:●      How Marcus became a sportswriter ●      Ways that the Oakland sports teams mimic the story arc of Oakland, especially the Warriors ●      Marcus' take on the decision to move the Warriors from Oakland to San Francisco ●      Solutions to bridge economic and cultural gaps in the Bay Area ●      Why it's so important for athletes to know how to articulate and express their story  Guest Info:●       Marcus' Instagram ●      Marcus' Twitter ●      Marcus Thompson - The Athletic Follow Me:●      My Instagram ●      My LinkedIn●      My Twitter●      Art Heals All Wounds Website●      Art Heals All Wounds Instagram●      Art Heals All Wounds Twitter ●      Art Heals All Wounds Facebook●      

Rock talks with Chris Murphy, Vice President Golden State Warriors and President of the Santa Cruz Warriors. Thank you listeners for staying with us. This marks our 100th episode of Zelos. Be sure to click subscribe. TIME STAMPS 1:30 How Chris Murphy climbed the Golden State ladder 7:00 Moving from Oracle Arena to the Chase Center 12:00 G League of the NBA 19:00 Chris Murphy's biggest challenges 25:00 Warriors culture 31:00 Internships and hiring issues of professional sports 35:00 Sharing ideas around the league 38:00 How the NBA drives tickets sales 41:00 Swishes for Dishes & Beach Clean Up Day 47:00 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Cruz Warriors GET TO KNOW CHRIS MURPHY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismurphygsw/ SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS: https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/ GET TO KNOW ROCKY SNYDER MEET: Visit the Rocky's online headquarters: www.RockySnyder.com READ: Grab a copy of his new "Return to Center" book: www.ReturntoCtr.com INSTA: Instagram fan, check him out at https://www.instagram.com/rocky_snyder/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rocky.snyder.77 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-snyder-cscs-cafs-nsca-cpt-a77a091/ TRAIN WITH ROCKY WORKOUT: Want to meet Rocky and get a private workout: https://rfcsantacruz.com/ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/rockysfitnesssc/ FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/RockysFitnessCenter

The Golden State Warriors are one win away from another NBA championship, which would be their fourth since 2015. But as OG fans know, they haven't always been this good. Writer and Bay Area native Alan Chazaro remembers those days, when tickets at Oracle Arena in East Oakland were affordable, attracting working class folks from across the Bay Area and street vendors selling hotdogs outside the stadium. Still, the Warriors have represented a kind of underdog mentality that the Bay Area has always identified with, even after their 2019 move to San Francisco and the new Chase Center. And for Alan, this championship just might be the most satisfying of them all. Guest: Alan Chazaro, adjunct professor for creative writing at the University of San Francisco and food writer for KQED.

The Warriors are back in the NBA Finals—but this time, they're hosting Game 1 across the Bay, in Chase Center. Writer, poet, and Warriors diehard Alan Chazaro chronicles the communal loss felt by Oakland residents when the team left Oracle Arena in 2019, and navigates the parallels to a larger issue: Being priced out of the Bay for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Sarah Kustok, NBA Flashback is the podcast that takes you back to the best moments in NBA history through exclusive archival audio from the NBA vault, along with new interviews with the players and coaches who were in the building. In this episode of NBA Flashback we go back to Jan. 23rd, 2015 and relive the night Klay Thompson destroyed an NBA record and scored 37 points in the 3rd quarter as the Warriors beat the Kings at Oracle Arena. We talk with Klay's teammate, the Brazilian Blur, Leandro Barbosa about why he was jealous of Klay, Draymond Green drawing up plays, and even what the team did in the locker room after the game. NBA Flashback is available on the iHeart app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. NBA Flashback is a production of iHeartMedia and the NBA. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annanya Raghavan, a Statistician for the red-hot Golden State Warriors and "Fanalyst" for Google via Adecco joins the NTC podcast to speak about her experiences witnessing history at both Oracle Arena and the Chase Center, the brilliance of Golden State's brightest stars, and most importantly the incredible depth behind their roster construction that looks to carry them through the regular season and into a deep playoff run! Be sure to visit our official website here for all of your NBA league resources! Follow the NTC team on Twitter: @NoTrade_Clause @a_a_ron25 @aniljamesgogna @OLA_HOOPS @chanellemanus @JohnHartofilis

We’re back from a fun weekend of golf courtesy of our friends at the Whistler Golf Club with so much to unpack! The Pat Down focuses on Elias Pettersson contract extension, how the Canucks would be best served to get the deal done before an offer sheet could be offered by another team. Montreal native and TSN/Sports Illustrated contributor Michael Farber follows and tells us how the Canadiens have been able to prove all the doubters wrong and why the Canada Stanley Cup drought is extremely overblown. John Shannon follows Hashtags - the best and worst of Twitter, and says that he feels that NHL players have a 50 percent chance of going to the Olympics next year in Beijing, gives his opinion on what’s next for the Chicago Blackhawks and the investigation of sexual harassment from a former coach within the organization, why he’s picking Carey Price over Andre Vasilevskiy in the Stanley Cup final, why NBC ended up moving on from the NHL, and why he thinks that there should be no asterisk attached to the cup winner this year. The Price is Right questions the theory that fans across Canada should get behind the last standing Canadian team in the NHL playoffs. Basketball Canada President & CEO Glen Grunwald joins next and gives some insight to what the Canadian roster will look like at the Olympic qualifying tournament, and tells us how the floor being used at the tournament is the same floor that was used at the Oracle Arena in Oakland the year the Raptors won an NBA title on. We read your memos on Memo To. The show concludes as it always does with all the Errors & Omissions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 728, Sean and Yasmin (@carmelohdrama) begin a two-part look-back at the 2019 NBA Finals in honour of the one-year anniversary of the Raptors' title win. They first reflect on their feelings heading into the series and whether they were optimistic or fearful of Kevin Durant's looming return before diving into the first four games of the series. They recall their excitement as Danny Green broke his slump to open Game 1, and the amazement with which they watched Pascal Siakam carve up Draymond Green to the tune of 32 points. Next, they look back at the bizarre happenings from both Games 2 and 3. Lastly they revisit what was probably their favourite game of the Finals, Game 4, in which Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard sucked the life out of Oracle Arena. Check back in on Wednesday as Sean and Yasmin break down Games 5 and 6! Also be sure to check out Yasmin's kick ass new site, TheNeonPlaybook.com.ManscapedGo to Manscaped.com and use code Locked On to get 20% Off and Free Shipping. Manscaped is #1 in men's below the belt grooming and offers precision-engineered tools for your family jewels.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you'll get $10 off your first order.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 727, Sean concludes his series of dramatic readings from the book he co-authored with Alex Wong, "We The Champs." In the final three chapters, Sean takes you through Toronto's inspiring Game 4 win over the Warriors are Oracle Arena to go up 3-1, before diving into the intensely bizarre and enthralling Game 5 loss at home that nearly went the other way. Lastly, Sean re-lives the title clinching moment in Game 6, complete with all sorts of audio samples from Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff van Gundy, courtesy ABC.TheragunTry Theragun RISK-FREE for THIRTY-DAYS. There is no substitute for the Theragun Gen FOUR - with an OLED screen, personalized Theragun app, and the quiet and POWER you need. Visit Theragun.com/LockedOnBlinkistRight now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience: Go to Blinkist.com/NBA try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25% off your new subscription.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

July 22, 2019: For this dynamic segment of PSYCHOTIC BUMP SCHOOL, DJ ROME speaks to Bay Area selectress DJ UMAMI out of OAKLAND, CA. Tune in for a decidedly steadfast account of how UMAMI rose from working the door and opening DJ slots all the way to spinning at the Oracle Arena for The Golden State Warriors. One of the Bay Area's finest, DJ UMAMI is here to rock this party! So press PLAY, SHARE and ENJOY!www.djumami.com

The Afternoon Delight with Greg Papa and Bonta Hill continues as the guys continue to talk about the Warriors heart breaking loss last night as it was the last game ever at Oracle Arena. The guys play audio from Bob Myers and Steve Kerr at their press conference today and react to what was said. Greg and Bonta talk to Warriors Analyst, Kelenna Azubuike, to get some insight as to what to expect moving forward for the Dubs.

The Afternoon Delight with Greg Papa and Bonta Hill kicks off today as they break down last night's heart breaking loss as the Warriors fall to the Raptors in the last game at Oracle Arena. The guys break down the game and talk about how it felt last night to be there for one last time.

Greg Wiener is a season ticket holder at Oracle Arena.  He says he was steps away from Raptors President Masai Ujiri when he had an altercation with an Oakland Police officer.  Wiener tells John Oakley Ujiri shoved, but didn't strike the officer.  

We may see a new NBA champion tonight, as the Warriors will host the last game in Oracle Arena history against the Raptors tonight in Game 6. As for the Pistons, we are one week away from the draft, so we chop it up with Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo, who has thoughts on Detroit at 15, including opinions on Keldon Johnson, Romeo Langford, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and some second-round possibilities for the Pistons at 45. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hall of Famer and Warriors legend, Rick Barry, joined Greg Papa and Bonta Hill on the Afternoon Delight to share his memories of Oracle Arena and what he expects tonight in Game 6 of the NBA Finals!

Former Warrior and Run TMC member, Tim Hardaway, joins Greg Papa and Bonta Hill on the Afternoon Delight to discuss tonight's final game at Oracle Arena!

NBA Analyst for ESPN, Jon Barry, joins Greg Papa and Bonta Hill on The Afternoon Delight to discuss tonights Game 6 and the fact that its the last ever Warrior game at Oracle Arena.

Co-Host of Pardon The Interruption, Michael Wilbon, joins Greg and Bonta on The Afternoon Delight where they talk all about Kevin Durant, Bob Myers, Oracle Arena and the Chase Center. 

Chapter 1

The Toronto Raptors are in California ahead of game 4 of the NBA Finals tonight against the two-time defending champs, Golden State Warriors. This is the final series that the Warriors are going to be playing at Oracle Arena in Oakland before moving across the Bay to their new home in San Francisco. Alan Carter is in Oakland ahead of tonight's match-up - what's the mood like in the city as they know they're seeing them live for the final time, and also as the home team is down 2-1 in the series? Guest: Alan Carter Anchor of Global News at 5:30 & 6. Host of The Alan Carter Show, on 640 Toronto

The Afternoon Delight with Greg Papa and Bonta Hill kicks off Live from Oracle Arena as the guys are gearing up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The guys talk to Mike Breen, Announcer for the NBA Finals on ESPN.

The N-B-A Finals shifts to Oracle Arena in Oakland tonight as the Toronto Raptors face the Golden State Warriors in Game 3.     Raptors star Kawhi Leonard says his team needs to follow coach Nick Nurse's scheme because it's what's made them so successful this year.    Kyle Lowry says after struggling in the third quarter in Game 2, the team knows which adjustments they need to make for Game 3.

Six NBA Draft prospects were hosted by the Celtics earlier today. They currently hold three selections in the first round of this years draft, which is set for June 20th. The NBA Finals are tied 1-1 after the Golden State Warriors grabbed game two on the road last night in Toronto. Game 3 is set for Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. Subscribe to Celtics Newsfeed on ​iTunes​, ​Stitcher,​ and WATCH on www.youtube.com/CLNSMedia

Papa and Bonta live from Oracle Arena before WCF Game 2 - they 'don't believe the hype' of Rob Parker calling Steph the greatest mirage of all time, give their thoughts on the Bucks comeback and win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, a quick note on the Sharks controversial OT win, the state of the Giants, and the Patrick Peterson's suspension, then discuss Seth Curry's comment that it's harder to guard the Warriors without KD. 

Papa & Bonta are live from Oracle Arena before Game 2 of Warriors-Blazers Western Conference Finals, they preview tonight's game, discuss when they think we'll see KD return to the court, debate what adjustments the Blazers will make for tonight's game, are joined by NBA announcer for ESPN radio and former player, Jon Barry, and go back in a time machine to when Dell Curry told Don Nelson not to draft his son.

Hall of Famer Warrior great, Chris Mullin, sits down with Papa & Bonta live on set at Oracle Arena before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Papa & Bonta are live from Oracle Arena before Game 2 of Warriors-Blazers Western Conference Finals, they discuss the brotherly conflict between Steph and Seth & the best way for Stotts to adjust to guard Steph, Greg explains why Steph Curry reminds him of Chris Mullin, then they are joined live on set by hall of famer, Chris Mullin to end the show.

Papa & Bonta live from Oracle Arena before Game 1 of the WCF are joined by a very special guest, Ray Ratto, then debate if the Warriors bench will continue to show up like they did in Game 6, discuss the officiating crew on the game tonight, talk about Terry Stotts as a head coach, and preview the ever exciting bouncing balls of the draft lottery on the road to Zion.

First up, a new episode of our podcast BOUNCE: the Warriors' Last Season in Oakland. We'll visit the businesses around Oracle Arena to see how the team's move will affect them. Then, we'll meet another local basketball team that competes in a different sort of arena. The San Quentin and Golden State Warriors.

John Dickinson and Daryle Johnson break down the Warriors 131-104 against the Clippers at the final regular season game at Oracle Arena on Warriors Wrap-up.

The Celtics announced a pair of surgeries for forward Gordon Hayward and center Aron Baynes yesterday. Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald shot down Mo Bamba rumors today. Rockets point guard Chris Paul has already begun the recruiting process to lure LeBron James to Houston this Summer. Game One of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors tips off tonight at Oracle Arena at 9 P.M. EST. GET 20 PERCENT OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER ON MACKWELDON.COM BY ENTERING PROMO CODE “CLNS”.

James Harden (32/9/7) and Eric Gordon (19) provided scoring punch, but an onslaught from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson (combined 64 points, 50% FG) was too much in Game 6 at Oracle Arena as the defending champion Warriors overcame an early double-digit deficit to win in a 115-86 romp.The winner-take-all Game 7 is set for Monday night at Toyota Center in downtown Houston.Our postgame recap explores all the key storylines, including shaky officiating; the role of Chris Paul's absence in 21 Houston turnovers and the team's limited depth; and whether CP3 will be able to play in Game 7.#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #Warriors #WCF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 24 points while Chris Paul scored 18 of his 20 in the second half, leading the Rockets to a 98-94 home win over the defending champion Warriors in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and a 3-2 lead in the series.Houston has an opportunity to close out the series in Saturday night's Game 6 at Oracle Arena in Oakland.Thursday's postgame show explores how the Rockets got it done despite an off-night for James Harden (19 points, but 0-of-11 from three-point range); the role of Clint Capela (12/14, 2 blocks) in keeping Houston close; and initial thoughts on the late hamstring injury to Paul and what it could mean for Game 6 and a potential Game 7. Tune in!#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #Warriors #WCF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Led by 57 points from Chris Paul and James Harden (combined 46% FG), the Rockets overcame a double-digit deficit entering the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena to defeat the defending champion Warriors in Game 4, 95-92, tying the Western Conference Finals at two games each.P.J. Tucker (16 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza sparked a spectacular defensive effort down the stretch, as Houston limited Golden State to just 12 points in the final quarter. The pivotal Game 5 is Thursday night at Toyota Center in downtown Houston.Tuesday's postgame show examines those storylines and more, including the incredible heart shown by Houston in overcome multiple double-digit deficits against arguably the most talented team in NBA history and at one of the most difficult opposing arenas to play in.#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #WCF #Warriors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Paul and James Harden (combined 12-of-32 FG) each struggled while Steph Curry (35 points, 13-of-23 FG) and Kevin Durant (25 points, 9-of-19 FG) were elite, leading Golden State to a 126-85 romp in Game 3 on Sunday night.Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, which the Warriors now lead two games to one, is Tuesday night — also at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.In our postgame recap, Ben breaks down the key takeaways from a forgettable Game 3 from the Rockets. Topics include a subpar showing from the supporting cast (Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, Trevor Ariza) after a strong Game 2; continued regression from Harden (17/9, 6-of-14 FG) after a superb Game 1 (41 points, 14-of-24 FG); and possible concerns over Paul's foot after a 2-of-11 start to Game 3.#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #Warriors #WCF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the series tied heading back to Oakland, radio/TV broadcaster Craig Ackerman joins us from California to preview Sunday's critical Game 3 between the Rockets and defending champion Golden State Warriors.Topics covered in Saturday's preview episode include:The difference in Houston's defensive intensity from Game 1 to Game 2 (2:40)Why the 2017-18 Rockets are better equipped than prior teams to win in tough road environments like Utah or Golden State (4:05)The difficulty of Oracle Arena for visiting teams (6:18)How Houston blocked out the "noise" from national media between Game 1 and Game 2 regarding Golden State's inevitability, isolation offense questions, etc. (8:18)The roles of Eric Gordon and Klay Thompson as key variables in this series (13:42) Why Steph Curry is likely to bounce back in Oakland after starting 2-of-13 from three-point range (18:00)The role of Houston's switching in limiting Golden State's traditional motion offense (20:03)The physical and/or mental funk for Luc Mbah a Moute (1-of-11 FG), and whether he's playable for the remainder of this series (21:45)Clint Capela's impact on the defensive end, and whether there's a way to get him more involved on offense after scoring just 5 points in Game 2 amid the absence of traditional pick-and-roll sets (26:00)Why Game 3 could be the best opportunity for the Rockets to grab a road game and ultimately recapture home-court advantage (30:00)For insight on those subjects and more, including Craig's royal wedding takes, tune in!#Rockets #NBA #Warriors #NBAPlayoffs #WCF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Warriors will face the Thunder—losers of four straight—tonight at Oracle Arena. The Thunder have had an up-and-down season and are currently in 5th place in the loaded Western Conference. The Warriors will have to have their heads on swivels defensively if they are going to win against a very good team with its back up against the wall. The vaunted Dubs defense has fallen to 10th in the league over the last month and change.JaVale McGee doesn't play big minutes but he always impacts the game when he enters—he's this week's #WarrioroftheWeek. Though he can be flighty at times, his per-36 numbers compare favorably with many defensive-minded rebounding bigs that play more minutes.Zach Lowe of ESPN reports that the Warriors inquired about Avery Bradley, who was recently traded to the Clippers, Though the talks went nowhere, this is a sign that the Warriors are trying to upgrade at the wing position before the February 8 trade deadline. Could McCaw be on his way out of Oakland?Around the NBA, the standings are starting to take shape. The Warriors are only one game ahead of the Rockets in the loss column. Debates as to whether the Dubs having homecourt throughout the playoffs is that important abound. But with the Rockets having won the season series, there is only one way for GSW to retain the no. 1 overall seed: win more games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week in sports has come and gone! The NBA finals are currently underway as the Golden State Warriors BLEW past the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1 at Oracle Arena. How will the Cavaliers be able to adjust for game 2? Will they adjust? Is Kevin Durant the piece that was missing from the Warriors finals run last season? Will a ring convince Kevin Durant to resign with the Warriors this offseason? The Stanley Cup finals are also underway as the Pittsburgh Penguins have taken an early 2-0 lead over the Nashville Predators. How will the Predators respond to early adversity in their first Cup final appearance? Will the Penguins be able to tighten their grip on the stangle hold they have the Predators in? Extreme Rules is this sunday! Who will earn the right to face Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire? Which titles will change hands? Our hosts will preview this sunday's event! All of this and more! 9 PM EST! 657 383-1308!  

Celtics have finally returned to Boston after a five-game (2-3) West road trip, which included a huge win against the Warriors at Oracle Arena. We discuss the possibility of the C's still grabbing the number one seed and how their defense will dictate their playoff fate the rest of the season. Plus we talk NBA headlines and honor the late great Notorious B.I.G. This episode of the Causeway Street Podcast is brought to you by SeatGeek, the smart way to buy or sell sports and concert tickets! Download the mobile app and enter the promo code 'Causeway' to receive a $20 rebate on your first purchase. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @CausewayStreet, @Joe_Sway, @SeanDutra

The Boston Celtics are the only team to beat the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in each of the last two regular seasons after Wednesday's triumph over the 52-12 Warriors, however, Celtics players are fully aware that Wednesday's win will mean nothing in the Eastern Conference standings if they falter tonight in Denver. Plus, Guerschon Yabusele is reportedly on his way to Boston.

The NBA Finals are in a frenzy and the big question is who wants it more???  Stephen Curry and LeBron James have the Basketball world at the edge of our seats.  The series is dead even 2-2 and the homecourt advantage falls back into the back yard of the Oracle Arena.  Join Chandler Knight aka Nostradamus, Royce King aka R-Keezey, James Fitzgerald IV aka Slim and TP Tymeless well y'all know him as Tyrone Powell or Ty as they put these recipes together for some good ol' Food For Thought for all of you to do the dishes!!!  Tell a friend to tell a friend that its the Sport City Chefs AGAIN!!!  And if they don't know.... NOW THEY KNOW!!!!

His fight with Yoshihiro Akiyama is featured as the co-main event at UFC 133. Rewind one year ago to UFC 117. We put a microphone on Vitor Belfort as he sits cageside and watches the main event of UFC 117: Silva vs Sonnen held August 7, 2010 from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Belfort was next in line to compete against the winner of this bout. Watch the full replay at UFC.TV.